1977 Super Bowl XI

About Pasadena, California: Residents of Southern California were looking forward to hosting pro footballs biggest event, Super Bowl XI. Thousands of fans would travel to the area to watch the Oakland Raiders take on the Minnesota Vikings in the Rose Bowl. Millions more fans would tine into NBC to watch this game Super Bowl XI. January 9 in the Rose Bowl would be the earliest time in a year that the game was ever hosted.

Ticket Sales / Attendance: There were 103438 people in attendance at the game in and it is estimated that another 62 million more excited football fans tuned in from their homes or other football parties around the world while tuning into NBC. The ratings the game for the game on this network were 44.4 as the highest number ever would tune in to watch a Super Bowl.

Team Pre-Season Stats: After losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in last years AFC Championship and 3 straight AFC Championships the Oakland Raiders and head coach John Madden were looking to take their game to the next level. With 4 time Pro Bowl OL Art Shell leading the defence the Raiders were one of the favourites in the AFC.

The Minnesota Vikings were looking to make their 3rd Super Bowl appearance in 4 years, but this time was looking for their first Super Bowl win. The offence was led by 8 time Pro Bowl quarterback Fran Tarkenton and he was hoping to get that elusive championship win for the Vikings.

Team Roster: Key players on the Raiders roster included QB Ken Stabler, OL Art Shell, TE Dave Casper, WR Cliff Branch, OL Gene Upshaw, DB Willie Brown, and LB Dave Hendricks.

The notable players for the Vikings included QB Fran Tarkenton, DB Bobby Bryant, RB Chuck Foreman, DL Alan Page, LB Jeff Siemon, OL Ed White, WR Sammy White, and OL Ron Yary.

Game Highlights: Both teams spent the first quarter trying to get a feel for the other and it was a tight defensive quarter which ended with no score. Oakland opened up the scoring in the 2nd quarter adding 16 points on 3 straight possessions. Tight End Dave Casper and Pete Banaszak both added touchdowns and Errol Mann added a field goal for a 16-0 Oakland lead entering halftime.

Mann added another field goal in the 3rd quarter to increase the lead to 19, but QB Fran Tarkenton responded completing an 8 yard pass to receiver Sammy White capping a 12 play 58 yard drive. This was as close as Minnesota would get as Oakland added 2 more touchdowns. Pete Banaszak added his second score of the game and CB Willie Brown returned an interception 75 yards for the touchdown. The Vikings added a last second touchdown in the 4th quarter, but it was too late as the Raiders rolled to a 32-14 victory and their first Super Bowl Championship.

Game MVP: The Most Valuable Player of the 11th Super Bowl was Oakland WR Frank Biletnikoff. He only had 4 receptions for 79 yards, but 3 of his catches in the game set up short yardage Oakland touchdowns.

Half Time Show: The halftime show was presented by Walt Disney and the theme was "It's a Small World" and featured the Los Angeles Unified All-City Band and had crowd participation.

Commercials: The average cost for a 30 second commercial during the 11th Superbowl was $125000. Companies continued to see every increasing potential in advertising their products during this game as it has the highest number audience of any major sporting event.

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